What Lies Beneath the Surface?

A New Year’s cruise on Florida’s St. Johns
River turned deadly when a 30’ boat hit a submerged object causing the boat to flip
and capsize. All five adults and one child on board were ejected, with one elderly
woman dying on the scene. What the boat hit is still unknown. But is that the real
problem here? What have you learned, Dorothy???

Just because your channel was clear yesterday, does not mean that it’s clear today!

The Accident Scenario –



With the boat cruising down the St. Johns River things seemed easy enough. But then
they hit something in the water and things turned for the worse. Investigators are
still trying to find exactly what the boat hit, but the results were predictable.
The boat flipped and capsized. A 60 year old woman died and was recovered five hours
later.


It’s Boating, Things Happen –




Water carries debris with it. It’s just the nature of things. When you operate your
boat at high speeds, and not necessarily unsafe speeds, there’s a chance that you
may hit something. It’s happened before and will no doubt happen again. But it’s
not going to stop boaters nor should it. But isn’t there something we can take from
this?


What to Do –



The answer is simple, but because it’s not law, there are people refusing to take
the precaution. Just wear a PFD. It won’t save you from impact trauma, but it will
undoubtedly help you stay afloat when you may not be able to help yourself. And
if you’re injured or unconscious, wouldn’t it be nice to accelerate the search and
rescue?


Capt. Steve’s Take –


I’ve long been an advocate of PFDs for just this type of scenario, the unforeseen
accident that just happens. But there are still people that don’t wear them even
when the situation screams for it -- heavy seas, leaking boat, (insert your disaster
of preference here), none of it matters to some -- make that most people.



But I can understand why no one ever wants to wear those ridiculous orange jackets
that come free with your boat. I don’t know who designed them, but if they intended
for them to be worn at all times, they missed their mark by a long shot. That said,
there are alternatives that take away any and all excuses for not wearing some form
of supplemental floatation. Floatation jackets, fanny packs, and inflatable vests
are all easy and convenient, leaving no reason not to wear one.


But Where are We Really Headed?



Mark my words; it’s only a matter of time. We will be regulated to wear PFDs when
on the water at any time. It will be a sad day but just look at the trend. Go too
fast on the Intracoastal in Palm Beach and wham -- reduced speed zones pop up. Get
a PWC on any lake and next season they’re outlawed because everyone wants to live
on Golden Pond.



Don’t get me wrong, some boating laws are necessary, at least to punish the offender,
if not get the offense stopped (boating under the influence comes to mind here).
But do we really need to be continually protected from ourselves? I’d like to think
not, but just glance around at the boats next weekend and think again. Better yet,
look at your boat. It’s the water born seat belt law coming soon to an inlet near
you. Either start protecting yourselves or Big Brother will make you do it. Just
don’t blame me when it finally comes to that. I wear a floatation vest.



What’s your excuse? Comment below.